What Researchers Did
The researchers reported a case of an infant who developed acute arterial thrombotic purpura following varicella and was successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What They Found
The infant received fresh frozen plasma and low molecular weight heparin for prolonged prothrombin time and thromboemboli affecting the 2nd-4th digits of the right foot. Protein C, protein S, and factor V levels were found to be normal. Necrotic lesions on the toes regressed with repeated hyperbaric oxygen treatment, preventing the need for amputation.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This case suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be a valuable adjunctive treatment for rare, severe complications like arterial thrombotic purpura following chickenpox. It offers a potential option to prevent tissue loss and amputation in similar pediatric cases.
Canadian Relevance
This study does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings cannot be generalized to a broader patient population.